Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Total novice asking for help

« on: September 03, 2006, 03:21:06 PM »

I am asking for your help, any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated

I hope that you will bear with me;

I have a computer, Pentium running XP.
I am about to take delivery of a 3 axis gantry type Milling machine.
I intend to use “Linistepper” stepper drive boards as featured on the “PIC List” (open source project).
I do not have a mechanical CAD package, so I’m open to suggestions.
I have an EDA package including pcb CAD outputting Gerber files (it will output in about 20 different formats inc DFX, ORCAD, PCAD)
I require to be able to mill pcbs for prototype work.
I require to be able to create medium complexity components in either plastics or nonferrous metals.

So, what do I need? As I see it;

1) Connection between computer & drive boards, Printer port or USB?
2) Mechanical Cad package (would Bobcad fit the bill)?
3) Control software (I am considering Mach 3) from PC via whatever to stepper drive boards?

So I open it up to the experts, what do you suggest?

Many thanks in advance for your help.

Tony